Found Sound Nation presents this sample pack of Malagasy traditional instruments including amponga lahy and tany (drums traditional found in the central lands of Madagascar), katsa (coastal rattle) and valiha (highlands zither played by the Merina people) by multi-instrumentalist Tsanta Randri. Swung and harmonized plucked melodies from the valiha contrast metallic triplet rhythms from the katsa and ringing percussion tones from the amponga drums. Recorded at his home studio in Antananarivo and on tour in Antsirabe, this pack is a rare glimpse into Madagascar’s distinctive harmonic and rhythmic sensibilities.

Tsanta Randri is a Malagasy producer and performer based in Antananarivo. Taking up the flute at age four, Tsanta grew up performing in the family band SODIALA with his parents and two younger brothers, mastering a number of styles from Western jazz to Malagasy folk. Tsanta has gone on to perform internationally and has played alongside a range of well-known artists from Madagascar including Samoela, Erick Manana, Lalao Rabeson and collaborated with Brazilian artist Luedji Luna on her Latin Grammy nominated album Bom Mesmo É Estar Debaixo D'água (2020). Dedicated to preserving Malagasy culture, Tsanta is a nationally renowned performer on numerous traditional instruments including sodina (flute) and kabosa (mandolin), as well as trumpet, guitar and piano.

Produced by Found Sound Nation
Edited and Mixed by Maxime Robillard
Demo by Marcio Zygmunt

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